Monday, December 7, 2015

East Elmhurst asked for infrastructure upgrade, got dog run instead

Rev. Lisa D. Jenkins, and several of her East Elmhurst neighbors, were in shock when they learned the city plans to invest $3.2 million to upgrade Overlook Park and build the neighborhood’s first dog run. When the project was announced in October, the city Parks Department said it would improve green space and the quality of life for area residents.

The minister said $3.2 million to renovate a park was not what the residents and homeowners had asked the city for.

“For decades we have asked for the sewer system and piping in our streets to be replaced,”Jenkins said. “For decades we have had sewer backups and water damage. Our homes have consistent water damage and permanent mold because the problem will not go away.”

Every time it rains, the system that was built in the 1930s and 1950s is overwhelmed with raw sewage and stormwater run-off, she said, bubbles up through toilet and floor drains into her basement. Black mold is a fixture on the floor and walls and the door to the basement is covered with plastic sheeting.

Jenkins has suffered respiratory problems from the mold and mildew left behind by frequent flooding.

“It’s bananas, it’s really hard to wrap your head around,” she said. “My parents made that basement my own when I was growing up and now I can’t even go down there without a breathing apparatus. I’ve got no more money to make repairs. As a single mother with a kid in college, I can’t even get insurance anymore. What happens if there’s a fire? I’ll be homeless. We’re told they don’t have the money to replace the pipes in our streets, but they have $3.2 million for a dog run? Our houses are deteriorating and nobody is concerned. Who will hear us?”

12 comments:

Once again the city wastes money. Ridiculous. But, the residents have also contributed to the flooding by paving over every inch of grass/yard space for parking. That ruined the drainage. The city should put in the sewer upgrade and then fine all the homeowners with the yard conversions.

...and in 3-5 years the dog run will be deemed unsafe and unusable so the city will pour more money into " upgrading" the dog run. Why must tax dollars be used for this nonsense? If you own a dog, get your fellow dog owners together and raise the funds to build a dog run instead. And it's users should be responsible for maintaining it too.

This is NOT wasted money. The city is making an investment to pave the gentrification infrastructure for higher paying productive citizens who have the money and leisure time to own dogs to pay for people in places like the Clarion and Westway shelters. Smart thinking!

Basically the city is will replace the area's population slowly by surely.Investigation regarding the dog runs should be initiated, some serious monies are being spent here on trivial items.Doesn't smell right.

More irrational bullshit. It's unfathomable the way they are refusing to hear the voices of people who actually live there, equally unfathomable that sociopath city planners would rather build infrastructure for pampered dogs and leave tax paying humans precariously walking in their basements or driving in the streets.

Like the sarcastic poster mentioned above, it's to pave the way for frivolous spending unquestioning consumer morons. I wouldn't call them productive members of society,how productive can they be since they have every amenity within arm's reach in their affordable luxury glass tumors and an abundance of hybrid cafe/bars and gourmet fast food joints.

Speaking of dog runs, as anyone seen these savages holding sled races using their fucking bicycles? Truly warped

Install a sewer backflow prevention device instead of waiting for the next flood, especially if you have plumbing in the basement and/or live in a low area. It'll cost thousands but is cheaper and less frustrating than dealing with the mess afterwards.

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